Here is a good article on base-building.
http://www.therunzone.com/ntrz/?page_id=17What Steve is suggesting, I almost consider "Pre-Base". It's like you need to get in shape before you can get in shape. So perhaps consider Steve's suggestion as "Base I" and the ideas proposed in the above article as "Base II". After about 4 months of Base I + Base II, you will be ready to start some hard training and get some huge PR's. But the key is to let your training cook and simmer slowly. Don't be a in a huge hurry to get to a certain mileage zone or to run a certain race. Remember that races happen every year, and when in doubt, defer and train more.